[Determination of bronchial reactivity in the diagnosis of bronchial asthma].

Bronchial hyperreactivity is considered to play a major role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Airway reactivity can be reproducibly quantitated by bronchial provocation procedures. Various physical or chemical stimuli may be applied, and inhalational challenge with methacholine is becoming a routine test in pulmonary function laboratories. The indications for, and clinical value of, measurement of bronchial reactivity are described, and possible mechanisms of hyperreactivity are discussed.